0 comments/ 14604 views/ 0 favorites Will You Marry Me? By: bugsss The train eased to a stop along the long concrete platform buzzing with people all of whom were trying to reach their chosen destinations along the journeys of life. His heart was racing at torpedo speeds wondering what this amazing turn in his otherwise dull and routine life was going to bring to him. Afterall, he was going to meet the person for the first time. He did see her photograph before but then things could appear quite different when actually placed in a complex 3d environment of the life matrix. He waited until everybody had got down from his compartment. A coolie rushed to his side asking him if he needed his luggage to be carried. Luggage! Yeah, that was a piece of big luggage actually. A huge bag that hung from his shoulders and a big suitcase. He looked out onto the platform from the door of the carriage desperately scanning the numerous faces around. None seemed to say, "Match found!". He got down onto the platform and waited. The population on the platform slowly began to thin. Soon, there were only a few people ahead of him talking leisurely perhaps waiting for someone like he was. He started walking towards the overhead bridge. Then a thought struck him. Did she forget about his arrival? Or did she run away seeing his appearance in the real world? Comeon, he didn't look that bad too. He wasn't a Shahrukh but there were numerous instances where even the mighty bollywood star was rejected by his looks in his early days. And then slowly people accepted him and began to like those things in him that really scintillated his charm. "Wait a sec! Was it her? God! Please let this not be her." he thought to himself. He didn't like the way she walked. He approached the overbridge and then confirmed that she wasn't there and that he should now call his only friend in town and see if he would be kind enough to welcome this uninvited guest. He gave one last look in despair at the overbridge steps and there she was. He recognized her that instant. She did look a little bit different from what she looked like in the photos but the only change was that she looked with a lot more life. Happy introductions followed. And he felt strange. He knew her for some six months now. They had been pen friends. Yes pen friends even in this internet era. Because they felt letters are more close to heart than sentences on the screen. He almost knew everything about her. What she did, what her parents were, her brothers, etc. Yet he felt he didn't know anything about her. What she likes, what she hates, what she thinks, etc. There was a feeling of knowing her all the while but at the same moment that nervy thoughts of being with an absolute stranger. They talked very little to each other on the way to her flat. Just an occasional joke about the policeman with his cowboy hat and a mention of how cool and fresh the city felt early that morning. They arrived at the flat. He had exactly four days to spend with her which also included the first day of the new year. Each felt they should make it a really memorable one. In the evening they went shopping and she bought him a lovely jacket. Then they went for a stroll along the shopping mall. The showrooms displaying their best products, dazzling discounts and exciting prizes failed to distract their attention towards each other. Or was it love? They both wondered. Then they went for a movie and returned home only after a really lavish meal at the Taj. It was one of those moments when we feel the joy in arriving at the destination of our life. They talked for sometime and then they slept. She was woken up by the sound of the front door close. She checked the time and it was one in the morning. At first she thought it was a burglary. Then she realized it was Vaibhav. He had gone out at this hour without even telling her. Then for the first time she wondered if his real purpose of coming to the city was visiting her. She waited for a good two hours before he returned back. She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She saw that he had put a bag he brought home back in his suitcase and locked it. She wanted to get up and find out what it was all about but then she thought the better of it. She woke up the next morning as the first virgin rays of the sun graced her face. She looked at him at her side and at once she forgave him for his last night actions. All she cared for was to spend time with him... to spend a lifetime with him. After half an hour, she woke him up with a cup of coffee. As he was sipping coffee, she was reading the newspaper for him. "Atal Bihari Vajpayee warned the ISI that he won't tolerate their activities any longer. Sachin has blasted yet another magnificient hundred. The chief minister will be hoisting the tri color at the stadium grounds next morning. The shares... " went on Sindhu. He looked on at her but heard nothing. He admired at what beautiful eyes she had. He particularly was amazed at the way her eyebrows met just above her nose to form a stroke of beauty across her lovely face. And then those cheeks. He believed at that moment that Aishwarya Rai and Sushmitha Sen were God's trails before he created this masterpiece. The sipping of an empty cup brought him back to the real world. In the afternoon, he helped her with the cooking. It was really fun cooking by the book. A little mistake here and a slight error there. Then the corrections to maintain the balance. And after an hour of extreme hardwork, they seemed satisfied but not before Vaibhav has cut his little finger of the right hand. Sindhu took his plate in one hand and with the other fed him. He felt like he was in heaven. It had been quite a large number of years since his mother fed him like that. He felt like hugging her that instant and propose to her. But then he remembered he had a hard truth to tell her. And he was afraid that would shatter his just found paradise. He had to wait. He had missed her last birthday because he never saw the probability of meeting her those days as they were a little less than friends. And he decided that he should propose to her on her next birthday. Whatever be his commitments he should be there in the city that day. And he should be with her. And with her alone. Sindhu had been a quite girl all her life. In her early teens, she wanted to avenge the death of her father at the hands of the ISI but with time she realized it was extremely difficult to get anywhere near an ISI agent leave alone murdering him. And that day she knew she would be much better living life with Vaibhav who was a computer professional lost in his world of website design and development. She was always fascinated the way he got into the flow at the mention of a good website. And she also felt him to be a bit childish being unaware of how bored the person opposite him might be feeling. The next day she woke up to find that she was alone in the house. She made coffee for both expecting him to return from what she thought was his morning jog. He did return after an hour but didn't talk much. He almost involuntarily took the coffee from her hand all the while reading a map of the stadium grounds with the concentration of a bomb defuser. His reply to her repeated queries was a stern "Wait!". He didn't lift his head from the map and his dairy for another hour. His expression changed completely once he saw her disturbed face. He held her in his arms and told her that he was creating a VRML model of the stadium and would offer it to his boss back at 'Image Technologies' and see what he would say about it. She loved his interest in the job and sat beside him to help him with all the minute details of the stadium. Then he asked her a question that triggered dangerous anxieties in her. He asked if she knew where the flag would be hoisted the next day in the stadium. He observed her anxiety and told her that he wanted to make the model look really good with the flying flag included. For a second she suspected his real identity. In the afternoon after the lunch, they both sat together almost fresh and free from the morning tensions and started planning how they are going to celebrate the start of the new year. They first thought they would go for dinner and then to a disco and come back in the morning. But then he said he wanted to make this really special. So, they baked a cake, put candles on it and blew them at midnight. Then they waltzed for a while and then sank into each other's arms. Next morning, he woke her up early and said breakfast is ready. One look at what he called french toast killed her appitite and triggered laughter. Then he said he would go out for an hour but would be back as soon as he could. He asked her not to ask him anything now and said he would tell her everything when the time comes. She believed him. He took the small bag with him which he took the other night. She waited for an hour and he returned. His train back to his place would be leaving in another hour. They hugged each other hoping time would stop not for a minute or two but forever. Then they looked into each other's eyes. She wanted him to say it. He wanted her to say it. Neither did. They reached the platform. Each had tears in the eyes. Each felt they would break down any moment. They wanted this moment to be over as soon as possible. The final whistle blew and he said "Please don't cry Sindhu. I'll be back for your next birthday. And I have something to tell you. And something to ask you. Please Sindhu, i would be very hurt if you cry now." And he boarded the train. She turned back and walked out of the platform into the lobby. She tried her best to control her tears but they didn't stop. She nolonger cared to stop them. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Vaibhav. "Sindhu, I thought I asked you not to cry, didn't I?" said he. He then kissed her cheek and ran to get into the moving train. She went back to her flat. She felt miserable. She switched on the television. At first she thought it was a movie. Then she observed it was the Star News channel and live written just below the logo. She just stared at the television. The chief minister was shot at and he died on the spot. The killer was at large but eye witnesses said the killer wore metal framed glasses, was of medium height and build, clean shaven and wore Nike shoes. Then she remembered. Vibhav wore metal framed glasses, was of medium height and build, clean shaven and wore Nike shoes. She fell back on the bed tearing rolling in her eyes. She composed herself and took the phone in her hand. She dailed the Pune Telecom Exchange and asked for the address of a 'Image Technologies' software firm. She knew the answer even before the operator told her after verifying the records. The firm didn't exist. She put the phone down and listened to the news. The Prime Minister condemened the act and blamed the ISI for murdering a true icon of the nation. She hated Vaibhav, if at all it was his real name, that instant. She cried and cried until she remembered. He would be coming back for her birthday. And that day would be his last day. A look of satisfaction crossed over her face. She began to plan. ***** She opened the door. He stood there with open hands. She stood still for a moment. She felt as if her long lost heart suddenly sprang out of the blue. She wanted that moment to last. To last forever. That smile which always showed how much he loved her began to dance on his lips. She travelled back in time remembering that paradise. And then she saw the hell. The hell she was living in for the past one year. He came in and hugged her. Then he made an unusual request. He asked her to stay in one of her friend's house until the evening. He said he would personally pick her up from the place. He told her that he needed the time to prepare the flat for the special night. She obeyed. She wanted to grant this last wish of his before he would die. She allowed him to drop her at her friend's house not far from the flat. It was seven in the evening when he came back. They didn't speak anything on the way back. When they reached the flat, he opened the door for her. He followed her and closed the door from behind. Then he switched on the lights. The sight she saw made her wonder if life can be made more beautiful. She felt sure that even paradise would have felt ashamed when compared to this heaven. Roses, daffodils, lilies, tulips. The dim lights were focused to make the flowers glow. The fragrance made her feel like floating in the air. She looked at him. That lovely smile again. She never knew love could be so beautiful. So wonderful. So graceful. She walked over to the table at the center. Even the best of hotels would have envied the setup. A fine velvet fabric covered the table. The scattered rose petals made the table look like a bed of roses. In the middle was a candle stand. The candle burned cautiously hoping it didn't spoil the roses stuffed into the stand around the candle. He held her hand and they moved to her chair. He tenderly held her shoulders and made her sit. Then he sat opposite her. They began the dinner. She wondered how he had learnt to cook so well in such a short time. Saying the dishes were delicious would only increase the value of the word. She started eating and she felt that sudden urge to kiss him. And then the hard truth hit her. She had different plans before she came here. And she would go accordingly. She finished her drink and asked for another. "Oh! I am so sorry. I should have kept the champagne bottle on the table. I'll get it at once." said Vaibhav. He got up and went to the fridge to get the bottle. He came back and filled her glass. They finished the dinner. Then he started drinking his. After a few sips, he felt strange. Something was biting away sweetly inside him. He didn't care. Not then. He took out a box from his pocket and placed it before her. Then he looked into her eyes. "Sindhu, before you open this, I need to tell you something. What I am going to tell you may make you hate me. May make you feel betrayed. May make your heart fill with anger. But listen completely and tell me what you feel only after you have digested it completely. Open..." a sudden pain rushed to his throat. "Open this box after that." "My name is not Vaibhav as I told you. Its a lie. My name is Raj Kinsley." He felt her image blurring before him. Something was pulling him inside. Something was forcing him to stop talking. But he knew he had to go on. "I am not a software professional as I told you. Its a lie." She looked on without expression. "I am an expert shooter." She felt anger rush to her heart as his eyes started to burn. "I didn't come here to meet you. Its a lie. I came here to assasinate the chief minister. I don't work for Image Technologies. Its a lie. I work for RAW." For the first time, she felt her hands shaking. Her heart trembling. "But Sindhu, I love you. I never wanted to, but the moment I saw you, I fell in love with you. I wanted to ask for your hand in marriage. But before that...." He observed he was struggling for breath. He touched his nose and saw that he was bleeding. He didn't care. " But before that I wanted to move out of RAW. I expressed these feeling to my boss. But they didn't want me to leave. They felt my country needed me. But after much per.. persuation they appointed me as the Deputy Ambassador of the Indian Embassy in... in.. in Amsterdam." Tears were rolling uncontrollably from her eyes yet he didn't see them in the blur before his eyes. "Happy Birthday Sindhu. I love you a lot. And I.." She cleared her eyes to see why he stopped. And then a thud. His head fell onto the table. His metal framed spectacles fell on the floor and broke. She didn't move. She didn't scream. She just looked on. Then she opened the box. A folded sheet of paper was on top. She opened it. Its a letter. To Raj Kinsley, Agent Wild Hawk, Special Commandos, RAW Dear Raj, I congratulate you on the success of your recent assignment. You might have succeeded in missions much difficult to this one but this is truly a special one. The top intellegence still ponders on how the top most commander of the ISI in India aquired a position of such importance and such prestige in our country's administration. Had he not been dealt with in this manner he might even have gone on to aquire the topmost position of this nation and would have played a major part in its doom. But the most amazing part was the way he won the innocent hearts of the public. For what you have done to the nation, you should be awarded the top honours. But as you know, that will only make you a prime target of the ISI. But I am hopeful your services at your new job will see to it that your patriotism and intellegence will not go unrecognized. I once again thank you on behalf of everyone of the billion Indians for your achievement. Yours truly, The Prime Minister She wiped away the tears and put the letter aside. Inside was another tiny box covered with blue velvet. She opened it. Inside was a platinum ring studded with a diamond that would have made the Kohinoor proud. She hugged it to her heart and put it on the ring finger of her left hand. At the bottom of the box was one more folded paper. She opened it. She read the contents and put the paper aside. She poured herself another glass of champagne. She drained it all down her throat along with the pill. Then she held his hand in hers and put her head on the table looking at his face. Slowly his face blured and she closed her eyes. The paper she had put down between them read: I travelled a thousand miles Overs the green valleys and seas so blue With only one image in my heart and eyes That of you and only you Will you marry me? I spent many a night Tired and frustrated, yet without a wink My only thought and light Was this day, this table and this drink Will you marry me? I can't gift you Kashmir Nor can I build another Taj All I can afford is a little heart That of your poor Raj Will you marry me? We'll have a house, a little garden And children not few I'll care for you like a pearl And if need arise, I'll die for you Will you marry me? The candle burned on and after a while it slowly extinguished itself to complete its journey of life. Will You Marry Me? Thank you Vixen Too for editing the story. This story contains almost no sex. If you are looking for sex, go read another story. The mile markers were flying by in the darkness as Bert cruised along a quiet I-20 in his beat up ‘74 Volkswagen Beetle on his drive to Dallas. He was excited to be seeing Ruth again, and a bit apprehensive about meeting her parents and sister. He tried to tune in a radio station on the radio, but couldn’t find anything decent. He shivered a bit as the unusually chilly night air seeped into the car. He smiled and thought about how she would react when he asked her to marry him. Bert thought back to the middle of his sophomore year when his friend Linda introduced him to Ruth. He remembered admiring her straight, shoulder-length black hair and her soft, brown eyes. He chuckled as he remembered paying way too much attention to her large breasts and nicely shaped body. He invited her to the basketball game that night, and she said sure. He picked her up at her dorm and they walked across campus to the game. They ate some popcorn and cheered for their team. After the game, they walked to the garden behind the library and talked. Bert sat down on the bench next to Ruth. “Wasn’t it great, the way we won in the last minute of the game?” Ruth leaned against Bert’s shoulder. “Yes, it was exciting. Thank you for taking me.” “You’re welcome. Are you in a hurry to get back to your room?” “No, it’s nice out here. Look at all the stars.” Bert put his arm around Ruth’s shoulder. “You should see the sky out in the country, away from all these lights.” “Mmm, we’ll have to do that sometime. Do you have a car?” “No, do you?” “No, I can’t drive.” Bert looked at Ruth. “Why not?” Ruth sat quietly for a while. “I have epilepsy. I can’t grip or hold anything with my left hand. You haven’t noticed?” Bert shifted uneasily. “Um, no. I’ve been sitting on your right all evening, and honestly, I’ve been more interested in your, um, eyes.” Ruth closed her eyes. “Gee, I could have sworn you’ve been staring somewhat lower. What color are my eyes, Bert?” Bert kissed Ruth on her forehead. “You can open your eyes, Ruth. They’re a nice soft brown.” Ruth smiled and put her arms around Bert’s neck. She kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you for the compliment. I don’t believe anyone’s noticed my eyes before.” Bert smiled. “You have a pretty face. And I like the way your hair frames your cheeks.” Ruth kissed Bert again. “Mmm, Linda was right, you are sweet.” She put her hands into her lap. “What’s your major?” Bert took Ruth’s hand in his. “I haven’t decided. I’m majoring in Math and Physics, but I really want to work with computers. How about you?” “I’ve just started college, but I want to teach third grade.” Bert looked into Ruth’s eyes. “Would you like to study together?” Ruth looked surprised. “But we’re not taking any classes together?” Bert smiled. “That’s ok. I just thought it would make the study breaks more fun.” Ruth giggled. “Oh. I suppose we could study together, then.” Bert and Ruth started spending all of their free time together. When the weather was nice, they would lay on a blanket in the garden and study. Ruth did her part to make the study breaks pleasant, and after a few weeks, she agreed to accompany Bert up to his room. He was one of the few sophomores that didn’t have a roommate. They sat on the bed and kissed for a few minutes before he pulled her down next to him on the bed. He held her in his arms as they kissed. Bert reached for the top button on Ruth’s blouse. Ruth squirmed. “Please Bert, don’t do that.” Bert kissed Ruth on the forehead and put his arms around Ruth. He quietly held her while she snuggled against his chest. Afterwards, he walked her back to her dorm. Bert and Ruth continued to study together. They would study in his dorm room and kiss during study breaks. He wanted to do more than kiss her; but every time he reached for her blouse, she stopped him. One night Ruth and Bert were sitting on his bed. They’d been kissing for a while, and he reached for the top button on her blouse. Ruth took Bert’s hand into hers and moved it away. “No, Bert.” Bert sighed. “Ruth, we’ve been seeing each other every day for six months. I care about you and respect you but I want to do more than kiss you.” Ruth looked at Bert with tears in her eyes. “Are you breaking up with me, Bert?” Bert took Ruth into his arms and held her tight. “No Ruth, I’m not breaking up with you. I love you. I’m just frustrated.” Ruth looked into Bert’s eyes. “You love me?” Bert gently kissed Ruth on her forehead. “Yes Ruth, I love you.” Ruth put her head on Bert’s shoulder and cried. Bert didn’t know what to do or say so he held her in his arms until she stopped. Ruth looked up at Bert. “Years ago, I made a promise to God and myself that I would stay a virgin for my husband. Until I met you, it was an easy promise to keep.” She gently kissed him. “Now I’m not so sure of myself. I’m afraid that once you have my blouse off, my pants will soon follow.” Bert kissed and hugged Ruth. “I’m sorry. I wish you’d have told me sooner. Yes, I want to do more than kiss, but I don’t want you to break your promise.” Ruth smiled. “You are so sweet. I love you.” She kissed Bert. Bert looked down at the floor. “Um, would it make a difference if I promised never to touch your pants?” Ruth laughed. “You really want my blouse off, don’t you?” Bert’s face reddened. “Um, yes.” Ruth kissed Bert. “You want to do more than look at my puppies, don’t you?” Bert turned away from Ruth. “Yes.” Ruth pulled Bert’s face back with her hand and kissed him. “Do you promise to never touch my pants?” Bert put his hand behind Ruth’s head and kissed her, moving his tongue around in her mouth. “Yes.” Ruth squirmed. “Mmm, that felt nice. Do you promise to keep my hands away from my pants?” Bert smiled and kissed Ruth again. “Yes. Even if I have to tie them up.” Ruth giggled. “Maybe I’ll need you to do that. Take off your shirt first.” Bert pulled off his shirt and grinned while he watched Ruth unbutton her blouse and unhook her bra. He took her in his arms and held her tightly against him. Her breasts felt warm and soft against his chest. They fell down on the bed and cuddled for a long time. Ruth looked up at Bert. “It feels nice to snuggle with nothing on. I’m sorry that I put you off so long, Bert.” Bert tickled Ruth’s nipple. “It’s ok. I love you Ruth, and I want you to be happy.” Ruth giggled. “I’m very happy, Bert.” She reached down and felt Bert’s cock through his pants. She felt it harden as she moved her fingers on his pants. “Bert, would you mind taking off your pants? I’ve never seen a naked man before.” Bert grinned. “I thought we promised not to touch pants.” Ruth kissed Bert. “You promised not to touch my pants. I never said anything about yours.” She undid his belt buckle and he slid out of his pants and briefs. She fondled his cock and gasped at how big it got. “Damn promise,” she whispered while she stroked his cock. She laughed watching his come splatter on his legs and the bed. Bert swerved, almost hitting something in the road. “Better pay more attention to my driving,” he thought. He tried to tune in a radio station again, but couldn’t find anything. It was about an hour before daybreak, and he had a couple of hours of driving before he arrived in Dallas. Bert thought back to the many times he shared his bed with Ruth. He remained true to his promise with her, and never once touched her pants. She, however, touched him many times, and learned how to masturbate him the way he liked. She did try to go down on him, once, and he smiled remembering how awkward it was for both of them. Besides, he enjoyed her face next to his. Her hand on his cock felt nice enough. Bert enjoyed watching the sun come up, and the scenery as he approached Dallas. He stopped at a diner and ordered breakfast. He checked his directions one more time, and it was nine-ish when he pulled up in front of Ruth’s parents’ house. Ruth greeted Bert in the walkway with a huge hug and kiss. She walked with him into the house, where he met her father, George, her mother, Karen, and her younger sister, Diane. They sat down in the living room, Ruth leaning on Bert’s shoulder. George spoke first. “Nice to meet you, Bert. How was the drive?” “Pleasant, but the night air was unusually chilly for June.” “How long was the trip?” Karen asked. “About seven hours.” “You must be tired, do you want to rest?” “No Karen, I’m fine. I just had a huge breakfast.” “So, where are you working, Bert?” “I’m a geophysicist for Geosource in New Orleans, George.” “What a coincidence! I’m the vice-president of exploration for Shell, and Diane is majoring in geophysics at the Colorado School of Mines. I might be able to get you a nice position in Dallas, Bert.” Karen poked George in his side. “George, stop.” George grinned. “What? I can’t be happy my little girl’s boyfriend works in my field.” Bert asked Diane, “How’s school?” “Uh, I’ve finished my first two years. I get into the interesting classes next semester.” “What do you want to do when you graduate, Diane?” Diane leaned on her daddy’s shoulder. “Go to work for Shell, Bert.” Karen stood up. “I’m sure Bert would like some time alone with Ruth. Would you excuse us, Bert?” Bert stood up. “Sure.” Karen, George, and Diane left the room. Diane gave a thumbs-up to Ruth as she left. Ruth kissed Bert. “You’ve impressed my dad and my sister. Did I ever tell you he worked for Shell?” “No, I don’t think you did.” Ruth stood up. “Why don’t I show you to your room and help you get settled.” Bert smiled. “Ok.” Ruth took Bert to the guestroom. After he put his things away, he asked, “Can I see your room?” Ruth shrugged her shoulders. “Sure, why not.” Ruth took Bert to her room. As soon as he saw the pink walls, the lacy bedspread, and all of the stuffed animals on her dresser, he started laughing. She poked him in the side. “Stop.” Bert grinned. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t expecting a little girl’s room.” Ruth took Bert’s head in her hands and kissed him. “I’m not a little girl anymore.” Bert put his hand on Ruth’s blouse and squeezed. “So I’ve noticed.” Ruth grinned and playfully slapped Bert’s hand away. “You’re bad.” Bert sat down on the bed and pulled Ruth down with him. “I’ve always wanted to kiss a little girl.” He kisses her, and she playfully struggles. Soon, they’re lying on the bed next to each other, kissing. Diane came into her sister’s room. “Oops. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but lunch is ready.” Ruth threw a pillow at her sister. “Tell mom we’ll be there in a minute.” Diane grinned and pulled the door shut behind her. Bert sat up on the bed. “Before we eat, I’d like to ask you something.” Ruth sat up next to Bert. “What is it?” Bert knelt down on the floor in front of the bed and looked up into Ruth’s lovely face. “Ruth, will you marry me?” Ruth sat silently for a while before she whispered, “Do I have to answer now?” Bert hung his head. “No, but I was hoping you’d say yes.” Ruth pulled Bert up and kissed him. “Bert, I love you. I just need to think about it, ok.” Before Bert could answer, they heard Diane shouting, “Mom, Dad, Bert just asked Ruth to marry him!” Ruth’s face turned scarlet. Bert laughed. Ruth punched Bert in the chest, hard. “Why are you laughing? I’ve never been so embarrassed.” Bert laughed harder. “I know. I’ve never seen your face so red.” Ruth pushed Bert out of the way and went to the bathroom to compose herself. By the time Bert got up and made his way to the dining room, George, Karen, and Diane were already seated. He sat down, and Ruth joined them a few minutes later. No one said a word through the meal, although Diane grinned from ear to ear while she ate. After lunch, Karen, Ruth, and Diane cleared the table. George and Bert went into the living room. “I’m sorry about Diane. I’m sure Ruth wanted to tell us the good news. Ruth talks about you all the time, and I can see what a fine young man you are. Welcome to the family.” George put his hand out. Bert’s face reddened as he shook George’s hand. “Thank you George, but um, Ruth hasn’t said yes yet.” George hugged Bert and slapped his back. “Don’t worry, I know my little girl. She’ll say yes, and I know you’ll make her happy.” In the kitchen, Karen hugged Ruth as soon as she put the dishes on the counter. “Congratulations. He seems like a nice young man.” Diane grinned. “Way to go, sis.” Ruth trembled. Karen felt Ruth shaking. “What’s wrong, honey?” Ruth put her head on her mom’s shoulder and cried. Karen rubbed Ruth’s back. Diane came over and hugged her sister with her mom until she stopped crying Ruth looked up at her mom. “I don’t know if I want to marry him.” Diane rubbed Ruth’s back with their hands while Karen held her. Diane whispered, “Ruth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to listen, and I was so happy for you when I heard Bert propose. Don’t take it out on him.” Karen stared at her daughter. “Diane, this isn’t about you and what you did, bad as it was.” She kissed Ruth on the forehead. “Honey, it’s your decision.” Ruth smiled. “Thanks mom. I knew you’d understand.” Karen hugged Ruth and they put the dishes in the dishwasher. Ruth turned to her mom. “Mom, can I, um, sleep with Bert tonight?” Diane snickered. Karen turned and glared at Diane. “Go wipe the dining room table, now!” Diane giggled as she picked up a cloth and left the kitchen. Karen hugged Ruth. “I understand what you’re asking, honey. Yes, you can sleep in the guestroom with Bert while he’s here. I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.” Ruth hugged her mom. “Thanks mom. You’re the best.” Ruth went into the living room and kissed Bert. “I hope daddy hasn’t hurt you too much.” Bert grinned. “No, we’ve been talking about geophysics.” Ruth frowned. “I’ll never understand how you find oil with sound waves.” She put her arms around Bert’s neck and kissed him. “Never mind, I had a surprise for you, but it feels anticlimactic now. Diane has agreed to chauffeur us around Dallas. Diane smiled. “Yes, my sister wants to show you the sights.” She bowed for Bert and Ruth. “I am at your service.” Karen smiled. “You kids go and have some fun.” Diane and Bert went out to her car, while Ruth went to get her camera. While Diane had the chance, she hugged Bert. “I hope my sister says yes. I would love for you to be my brother.” “Thanks Diane. And thanks for being our chauffeur.” Diane kissed Bert on the cheek. “You’re welcome.” She got in the car and started it. Bert waited for Ruth. He opened the car door for her and sat down next to her after she slid over. Diane drove while Ruth pointed out the Methodist church she attended and the high school she went to. Once they left the neighborhood, Ruth pointed out First Baptist Church and Renaissance Tower on the way out to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Ruth and Bert walked arm in arm looking at the gardens, with Diane following behind. After the gardens, Diane took Ruth and Bert to a nice steakhouse. Diane asked Bert about his work until Ruth kicked Diane’s shin under the table. After dinner, Diane wanted to take Ruth and Bert to a disco, but Bert admitted he was tired. Diane took Ruth and Bert home. Bert and Ruth went into the living room. George and Karen were sitting with a cup of coffee. Bert started to say something, but Karen cut him off. “Bert, you must be exhausted. We’ll see you in the morning.” Bert walked into the guest bedroom, took off his clothes, and lay down on the bed. Ruth sat on the side of the bed. She unbuttoned her blouse, unhooked her bra, took off her shoes, socks, pants, and panties, and lay down beside him. Ruth put her arms around Bert. “Hold me, Bert” Bert wrapped his arms around Ruth, and held her body against his. They snuggled for a long while before Ruth relaxed and kissed Bert. “Thank you for a lovely day.” “Thank you for inviting me to your house. I noticed you took all your clothes off. Were you planning something tonight?” Ruth sat up on the bed and straddled Bert’s chest. “You asked me to marry you.” She tickled his chest with her finger. “I figured you ought to see what I looked like, how deformed my left side is, in case you want to change your mind.” Bert pulled Ruth to him and kissed her. “You’re the most beautiful woman I know. You have beautiful brown eyes, beautiful hair, and a beautiful face.” Ruth looked at Bert with tears in her eyes. “The doctors say I can’t get pregnant. I’ve tried to play with myself a few times, but I didn’t feel anything. I felt something whenever you kissed me or played with my right nipple. I have no idea whether sex feels good or not.” Bert gently kisses Ruth on her forehead. “I know you wanted to wait until you were married, but do you want to find out tonight?” “Bert, I’m afraid. What if I don’t feel anything when we have sex?” Bert sat up, hugged Ruth, and held her tight. “Ruth, I’m not marrying you for sex; I’m marrying you because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. If it’s important to you, I’ll have sex with you to help you decide.” Ruth snickered. “I’m sure that would be a great sacrifice on your part.” Bert looked hurt. “Actually it would. I’m tired, and I’m not in the mood.” He lay back down and put his hand on her hip. “I want you to be happy, Ruth. I know I’m happy when I’m with you.” Ruth wiped the tears from her eyes. “Bert, will you have sex with me?” Bert smiled. “Yes Ruth, I will have sex with you. You’ll have to help me get started.” Ruth bent over and kissed Bert, her tongue probing his mouth. “I think I can do that.” Ruth slid down the bed and took Bert’s cock into her mouth. After some licking and sucking he responded. She rolled over on the bed and spread her legs open. He got up, moved the hair away with his hand, and kissed her pussy. He licked and sucked on her clit and vulva, focusing on her right side. She wiggled and moaned, and he was happy, knowing she was feeling what he was doing. After he was sure her pussy was wet, he climbed over her and thrust his stiff rod into her pussy. She cried out and dug her fingernails into his back. He waited until she relaxed before he pumped his cock in and out. He pumped until her body convulsed in an orgasm. He was glad he was so tired, because otherwise he probably would have come before she did. He rolled off her onto the bed. After a while, Ruth rolled over and laid her head on Bert’s shoulder. “Thank you. Now I know how sex feels when you’re in love. It feels wonderful.” Bert kissed Ruth on the forehead. “You’re welcome. Was it worth the wait?” Ruth threw her arms around Bert’s neck and kissed him. “Yes, it was worth it.” Bert smiled and they fell asleep in each other’s arms. The next day after breakfast Diane took Ruth and Bert out to see more sights. They spent the day laughing, eating, and playing, and Diane was glad to see her sister so happy. She could see how much Bert cared for Ruth. They went home for dinner. Karen had made fried chicken with several side dishes, and Diane and Ruth talked about the fun day they had. After dinner, Karen and Diane cleaned up while Ruth and Bert went into the guest bedroom. They sat down on the bed. Ruth kissed Bert. “Thank you for a fun day.” “You’re welcome. Have you decided about my proposal?” Ruth sighed. “I need a little more time, Bert. Tomorrow morning, I’ll give you my answer, I promise.” “Is there anything I can do or say so the answer will be yes?” Ruth pushed Bert down on the bed and lay down on his chest. “Bert, I love you. I wish I knew why I get so scared thinking about marrying you.” She kissed him. “I need to talk this over with mom, ok?” Will You Marry Me? Bert kissed Ruth on the forehead. “Ok.” Ruth grinned. “Thanks. See you in the morning.” Bert got undressed and went to sleep. The past two days had worn him out, and he slept until late the next morning. Ruth found her mother in the kitchen. She helped her finish cleaning up before asking, “Mom, can you help me?” Karen finished wiping the counters. “Sure honey, what do you need?” “How did you know that daddy was the man you should marry?” Karen thought a while before she answered. “Honey, I didn’t know. I could see that your father cared about me, treated me special, and loved me. I had to have faith that things would work out if we got married.” She hugged Ruth and kissed her on her forehead. “Honey, what’s stopping you from saying yes to Bert’s proposal?” Ruth put her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Part of it is everyone is so sure I should say yes. I feel like the whole family has decided for me that I should marry Bert.” Karen stroked Ruth’s forehead with her fingers. “How do you feel, honey? Do you want to marry Bert?” “Mom, I love him and I know he loves me. But I’m scared. What if gets tired of me? What if he falls out of love with me?” Karen rubbed the back of Ruth’s head. “Honey, let’s go sit in the living room.” Ruth looked up at her mom. “Ok.” Karen and Ruth went into the living room and sat down. “Now honey, why would Bert fall out of love with you?” Ruth leaned on her mother’s shoulder. “Because I’m epileptic. Because I’m deformed.” Karen picked up Ruth’s hand and held it in hers. “So let me see if I understand. You’re having trouble believing that a wonderful young man like Bert could love someone as horrible as you. Is that it?” Ruth squeezed her mother’s hand. “Oh mom, you understand... Mom? You think I’m horrible?” Karen put her arm around Ruth and hugged her. “No honey, I don’t think you’re horrible. And neither does Bert. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, the way he talks to you, the way he treats you. He loves you and respects you, and that’s all you can ask of a husband.” “Mom, do you think I should marry Bert?” “Ruth, it’s not my decision to make. You have to decide. If you’re asking my opinion, then yes, I think you should marry Bert. I think he would do almost anything to make you happy.” Ruth kissed her mom on the cheek. “Thanks mom. I know what I have to do now.” Ruth went into her bedroom. She knelt down by the side of the bed, bowed her head, and prayed. “Dear Heavenly Father, I need your help. I know Bert loves me, and I love him, but I just don’t know if I should marry him. Could you put a sign in my heart, and let me know what I should do? In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” Ruth changed into her nightclothes, and after tossing and turning for a long time, fell asleep. The next morning, Ruth woke up with a feeling of dread in her heart. She didn’t want to get out of bed for a long time. She finally got up and got dressed. Her family was finishing breakfast. Ruth got herself a bowl of cereal and made herself eat. Karen looked over and asked, “What’s wrong, honey?” Ruth looked like she was going to cry. “I can’t marry Bert.” George was surprised. “Why not, baby?” Karen stared at George. “Hush.” She got up and hugged Ruth. “I’m sorry, honey.” Bert woke up and took a shower. He packed and brought his things out into the living room. He could tell by the somber mood that he wasn’t going to hear good news. Ruth got up, came over to Bert, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him. “Bert, I can’t marry you. I love you, and appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m sorry, no.” She ran into her bedroom, threw herself on her bed, and cried. Bert stood there and let George shake his hand and Karen hug him for a long time. Diane helped him get his things in the Beetle and into the driver’s seat. He leaned on the steering wheel and cried. He was almost an hour out of Dallas before he realized he didn’t even ask her why. Sometimes life isn’t happily ever after. Will You Marry Me, Revisited Thank you Vixen Too for editing the story. There's very little sex in this story, so if that's what you're looking for, go read another story. This story is more understandable after you read the first part, Will You Marry Me? I wish that I could tell this story better and I wish that sometimes stories would come true. Bert looked over at Ruth, snuggling up to him on the bed, her head resting on his shoulder. He held her hand and noticed how peaceful she looked. He thought back over the changes in his life the last few years, and how happy he was that he'd contacted her again. Bert had been married to Patricia just under twenty-two years. They had a fourteen-year-old son, Matthew. The marriage had its ups and downs, but he was content. A couple of weeks after Patricia's forty-first birthday, she had a brain aneurysm and died the next day. Bert and Matthew were devastated. Bert took off of work to arrange the funeral, grieve, and help Matthew grieve. After a month Bert arranged for someone to look after Matthew, and returned to his work as a computer programmer. About six months later, a college directory came in the mail. Bert had forgotten he'd ordered the directory, and tossed it on the bookshelf. The house still looked the same as when Patricia died. He didn't have the motivation or desire to make any changes. Work and taking care of Matthew took all of his time and energy. Bert's numbness started to wear off about a year after Patricia's death. He thought he'd try Internet dating. He met some nice ladies, but they either lived too far away or weren't interested in a serious relationship. After a year he gave up, figuring that he'd try again after Matthew went to college. One day Bert was cleaning up the living room when he noticed the college alumni directory. He wondered what his classmates were up to. He sat down and thumbed through the pages. He looked up his class, and found that four of his friends were listed. Linda was a pediatric surgeon in Chicago. He smiled; glad that she'd had the career she talked so much about. Mark was a real estate agent in Atlanta. That was a surprise. Mark and Bert had worked together, editor and features editor, on the college newspaper. Bert thought Mark would have gone on to be a journalist. Kevin was a petroleum researcher at Shell in Houston. No surprise there. Bert, Kevin, and Linda had spent many a night together in the science building, cramming for the next math or science test. Bert was pleasantly surprised to find Ruth listed. She was an elementary school teacher in Irving, just north of Dallas. He chuckled. He closed his eyes and thought about the time he'd spent with her. He had been her boyfriend for three years. He smiled as he remembered the basketball games they saw, the times they ate in the cafeteria, and the nights she visited his dorm room for "study" sessions. Although they didn't take many classes together, they helped each other with their schoolwork. Bert graduated a year before Ruth. After she graduated, he drove to her parents' house in Dallas to visit and ask her to marry him. She seriously thought about his proposal for a couple of days before she said no. Hurt, Bert left later that morning and moved on with his life. Bert sat down at the computer and started a summarized version of his life's story. When he finished three days later, the text ran for nearly four pages, single-spaced. He reflected that Matthew would appreciate reading it some day. He wrote four letters, one for each of his friends. He printed the letters and the story, and mailed them. He wondered if any of them would respond, if any of them would remember him from college. Linda's email came first. It was short, thanking him for thinking of her and sending the letter and life story. A few days later Kevin's email came. It was longer, and Bert was happy reading about all the good things that had happened to him. He had a nice wife, Kathy, and a couple of adult kids, George and Angela. Kevin's life story was shorter than Bert's since he hadn't changed jobs and moved around as much. A couple weeks passed before Mark's email showed up. It turned out that Mark tried to break into journalism, but a stint at the Mobile (Alabama) Register broke him instead. Mark drifted around for a few years, trying to decide what to do, when he met Sally, and settled down in Atlanta. She was a technical recruiter, and after he'd lived in Atlanta a couple of years, decided to try selling commercial real estate. He found he enjoyed it, and developed a sizable clientele. A few days later a longer email from Linda arrived. Her life went just as she predicted it would when they sat around the student union talking about their futures. Linda finished medical school and was nearly thirty when she finally started practicing as a pediatric surgeon at Children's Memorial Hospital. By the time she was forty she was one of the most respected surgeons in Illinois. Never married, of course. She and Kevin had dated for a while in college, but the course load they were taking kept them from developing a relationship. Bert was disappointed that he hadn't heard from Ruth. He corresponded with his college friends and caught up with their lives. Bert smiled whenever he thought about how scared he was to contact them after so many years, and was so glad he made the effort. One day, a letter arrived in the mail for Bert. It was from Ruth! Nervously, he tore the envelope open and pulled out a handwritten letter. He smiled as he read about her life. She'd never gotten a computer, and didn't like using a computer in school, because she could only type with her right hand. She'd taught third grade at the same elementary school for twenty-five years. And yes, she was glad that he'd written to her, and wanted to correspond. Bert and Ruth sent letters back and forth. He sent her a current picture and she sent him one. He was surprised to find that she still looked so youthful, while he'd aged and put on 50 pounds. He was nervous the first time he called Ruth. Her voice hadn't changed much over the years, and hearing her brought back memories of the many conversations they'd shared. He knew she didn't drive, but he was surprised to find out that she hadn't been out of Texas since college. He invited her to fly to Baltimore to spend a week, and she agreed, after school let out for the summer. Bert booked the flight and made the hotel reservations for Ruth. His anticipation grew as the date of her arrival drew nearer. He looked forward to seeing her again after all these years. Bert and Matthew drove to B.W.I. airport to pick up Ruth. Her flight was an hour late, and they passed the time watching planes take off and land. Finally, her flight arrived and they went over to the baggage carousel to wait. Bert was watching the passengers retrieve their luggage, so he was surprised when Ruth snuck up and gave him a big bear hug. Bert was amazed at how little Ruth had changed over the years. Sure, the skin on her hands and neck had wrinkled, but she looked as young as he last remembered her. A touch of gray in her shoulder length straight black hair was the only other blemish he noticed. Bert picked up Ruth's luggage and they walked back to the parking garage. Ruth and Matthew talked on the way to the hotel. She smiled at his precociousness. Bert dropped Ruth off at the hotel and helped her get checked in and settled. Bert and Matthew had a couple of hours to kill before they returned to the hotel for dinner, so they went to the aquarium to see the dolphin show. Ruth took a shower and got dressed. She was still trembling. She was surprised at how excited she was to see Bert. Sure, she'd been looking forward to this trip for a couple of months, but feelings that she'd thought long suppressed bubbled to the surface again. She smiled as she thought of how much cuddlier Bert looked, now that he had filled out some. Bert and Matthew met Ruth at the hotel restaurant. They sat down and looked over the menu. Ruth smiled as Matthew discussed his dinner choices with Bert. She could tell that he was accustomed to eating in nice restaurants. Ruth listened to Matthew talking about the dolphin show and the colorful tropical fish over dinner. Ruth kissed Bert goodbye before he left the hotel with Matthew. Not a peck on the cheek or a friendly kiss, either. The intensity and length of the kiss pleasantly surprised him. "See you tomorrow," Ruth cooed. Bert smiled. "I'll be here at eight." Bert took Matthew home and went to bed. He thought about the hug and the kiss and hoped that this was going to be more than a friendly visit before he fell asleep. The next morning, Bert picked up Ruth at the hotel. Ruth was quiet, looking out the window as Bert drove to Washington D.C. He parked at Greenbelt and they took the Metro to the mall. Soon after they came out of the station onto the mall, Ruth put her arms around Bert's shoulders, and kissed him. "Thank you for inviting me on this trip, Bert." He grinned. "You're welcome, Ruth." They walked over to the tour mobile stop and bought tickets. They rode around once and saw everything. On the second trip around D.C., they got off the bus and spent some time at the Lincoln Memorial and the Museum of Natural History. Bert enjoyed that Ruth held his arm as they walked through the museum. They ate a late lunch at the museum cafeteria and spent an hour at the Museum of American History next door, when Ruth sat down on one of the benches. "I'm not used to so much walking, Bert. Can we call it a day?" Bert sat down next to Ruth. "Sure. I'm tired too. Let's rest a while, and we'll walk over to the Navy Memorial station." "How far is that?" "About three blocks." Ruth grabbed Bert's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder while they sat and rested. They walked to the Navy Memorial Metro station and rode back out to Greenbelt. They were quiet on the drive back to the hotel. Ruth opened the door to her room, went in, and collapsed on the bed. Bert closed the door and sat down on the side of the bed. She took his hand in hers. "Thank you for a lovely day. Washington is a wonderful place to visit." "You're welcome. We can see more tomorrow." Ruth laughed. "I think another day like today would kill me." "Ok, we'll do something more restful. We can take a Baltimore harbor cruise." Ruth pulled Bert down on the bed next to her. "That sounds lovely." Tears welled up in her eyes. Bert put his hand on her cheek. "What's wrong, Ruth?" She looked helplessly at him through her tears. "Hold me, Bert." Bert took Ruth into his arms and held her as she sobbed. He rubbed the back of her head to comfort her until she stopped crying and looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Bert." "What's wrong, Ruth?" She almost started crying again, hearing the concern in Bert's voice, but fought back the tears and brushed her palm against his cheek. "Nothing's wrong. You have no idea how many years I've prayed for this. I'm so happy to be in your arms again." She put her hand behind his head and pulled his lips to hers. "Kiss me." He kissed her and held her quietly in his arms. He'd hoped that her visit might be more than just visiting a friend, but he never imagined that she would feel this deeply about him after all these years apart. Ruth looked into his eyes. "I guess you think I'm being silly." Bert brushed the hair from her eyes. "Not at all. Although, I'd like to talk about what you said." She looked away shyly. "You mean, about how much I wanted to see you again." Bert grinned. "Yes." She hugged him as tightly as she could. "Bert, I'm so sorry that I said no when you asked me to marry you. If I had any idea how my life would turn out, I would have said yes." She was silent for a moment. "I should have said yes." Now it was Bert's turn to be silent. He hoped she'd be excited to see him again, but he was stunned by her words. He remembered how much it hurt when she'd turned him down, even though she tried to make the rejection as soft as she possibly could. He brushed her cheek with his palm. "Why did you say no?" Ruth sighed. "I was young; I didn't have much self-esteem. I was afraid you would get tired of me and fall out of love with me." Bert was surprised. He felt a surge of anger, but he silently counted to ten and calmed himself. It happened too many years ago to get angry now. "What? That's why you didn't marry me? You didn't even give me a chance." Ruth grabbed his arm and looked into his eyes. "I'm so sorry I turned you down. I know how much I hurt you when I rejected you." He kissed her on the forehead. "It was a long time ago. I loved you and I wanted to take care of you and be with you; and yes, it hurt me a lot when you said no." Ruth pulled his arm into her chest. "I'm sure it did. If you only knew how much it hurt me." Bert looked into her eyes. "How much did it hurt?" Ruth sighed. "I've never told anyone this before. I never thought I could trust anyone that much." She snuggled up to him. "When I was a young girl, I was shy. I didn't have many friends. Most everyone in school ignored me because of the epilepsy. I thought high school might be different, but it wasn't. It was worse. After my breasts developed, the girls hated me and the boys wouldn't leave me alone. By the time I got to college, I was sure that guys only wanted one thing from me, and I hated them for it." "I met a couple of sweet girls in my dorm, and we became good friends. They helped me overcome my shyness and to not hate men so much. Linda talked about you, and introduced us. After I got to know you, I could tell you were different." Tears formed in Ruth's eyes. "You were the first man that really wanted to know me. Not just my breasts, but me." Bert's face reddened. "Well, I wanted your breasts, too." She smiled. "Yes Bert, you did." She sat up on the bed, took off her shirt and bra, and lay down. She took Bert's hand, pulled it over her, and put it on her right breast. While he fondled, she continued. "I remember how much you wanted to take my blouse off, but whenever you touched me, all my bad experiences would flood into my mind and aggravate me." She sighed. "You were so patient and understanding with me when I would snap at you. Mmm, it feels so nice the way you rub my skin and nipple." Bert smiled. Ruth squirmed. "After I turned you down I thought I would have other wonderful relationships. Boy, was I wrong. After I moved to Irving, the men that wanted to date me were losers or users. By the time I turned thirty, I decided I wanted to reconnect with the one man who loved me." "And who would that be?" Bert whispered. She poked Bert hard in his ribs. "I called your parents' house, but the number was disconnected. My father hired a private detective. He traced your addresses in Houston, New Orleans and Picayune but after looking for a few months couldn't trace you any further." Bert pulled Ruth's back against his chest. "Wow, a private dick. I'm impressed. Hmm, I guess you called about a year after my mother died. My father moved in with my sister in Picayune, Mississippi. I was married to Patricia and living in Richmond, Virginia." Ruth snuggled into him. "I saw a blurb about you and Patricia in the alumni news a couple of years later. I think it was Matthew's birth announcement. I was happy for you, but cried for myself. I threw myself into teaching. Oh, I'd date every once in a while, but nothing ever developed." "I was so shocked when your letter arrived in the mail last fall. I'd long given up hope of meeting someone as nice and sweet as you. That letter sat on the end table for a week before I had the courage to open it. I was afraid my dreams would be dashed forever. I was sorry to read about Patricia's death, but I was happy to read about your life and write to you about mine. Hearing your voice on the phone brought back so many great memories of our time together. When you invited me to visit I knew that my prayers had been answered." Bert lay quiet in thought. Ruth enjoyed feeling the warmth of his chest against her back and his hand resting on her breast. After a long while she asked, "Bert, why are you so quiet?" "I've been thinking about what you shared with me," Bert said quietly. "I've been feeling sorry for you. You deserved a much happier life." Ruth kissed his hand and put it back on her breast. "Don't be sorry. I've had a pretty good life. I enjoy teaching and I hope I made a difference in a few of my students' lives. Mmm, I love how it feels when you rub my nipple." Bert caressed Ruth's breast gently. He enjoyed watching her squirm and felt glad to make her smile. Soon, she rolled over and kissed him. He liked how it felt when her breasts pressed against his chest. She started to unbutton his shirt when he pulled her hand away. "What's wrong, Bert? Don't you want to get more comfortable?" He felt torn. After what she'd said, sex felt wrong. "Ruth, I care about you and what happens to you. You've had months to think through your feelings, but I'm still working through mine. Yes, I'd hoped we could be more than friends, but now I need some time to think. Maybe I should be going now." She put her fingers on his cheek. "Oh. I'm sorry; I guess you're right. I understand." She sat up on the bed and kissed him goodbye. She shed a tear as she heard the door shut. "Damn," she thought, "Just this once I wish he wasn't so sweet. I really needed to be intimate with the only man that's ever loved me." She took a long bath, got dressed, and had a quiet dinner in her room. She prayed that she hadn't driven Bert away and that God would bring them together. The buildings and streets whizzed by without notice as Bert drove home. Ruth really surprised him this time. It was obvious that she was deeply, madly in love with him. Could he love someone he spent so much time getting over? Could he love her again? Bert had dinner with Matthew. Listening to Matthew talk about his day was just the diversion Bert needed. After dinner, he cleaned up a little and caught up on some computer work. He went to bed at his normal time, but couldn't fall asleep. After rolling around in frustration for a couple of hours, he got up and sat in the dark living room, thinking about what Ruth had said. Bert woke up, startled. He was still lounging in his recliner. He got up, stretched, and got ready to see Ruth. He drove over to the hotel and parked in the garage. He picked up Ruth in the lobby, and they walked over to the inner harbor. The harbor cruise wouldn't leave for another couple of hours, so they visited the aquarium together. Ruth held his arm as they saw the tropical fish and rain forest. She sat next to Bert and leaned on his shoulder as they cruised around the harbor. After the cruise, they had a late lunch and returned to the hotel. Ruth sat down on the bed and Bert sat next to her. Ruth kissed Bert on the cheek. "Thank you for a lovely day." Bert put his arm around Ruth's shoulder. "You're welcome." "Have you sorted out your feelings about us yet?" she asked as she leaned against Bert's arm. He laughed. "Anxious, aren't you?" His tone turned serious. "Yes, I've sorted out my feelings. I love you, Ruth." "I love you, Bert," she whispered as she kissed him. Bert sighed. "So what do we do? I work in Washington D.C. and you work in Irving, Texas. I'm sure Matthew doesn't want to move. He just lost his mother a couple of years ago; it would hurt him to lose his friends as well." Ruth was quiet for a while before she answered. "What if I move to Edgewood to be with you? I can teach in Maryland just as easily as Texas." "What about your family? Wouldn't you miss them?" "Yes Bert, I wouldn't get to see my parents and sister as often. But we can still fly to Dallas occasionally to see them." Will You Marry Me, Revisited Bert knelt down on the floor in front of her and asked, "Ruth, will you marry me?" Ruth's heart leapt as she pulled Bert up to her and kissed him. "Yes Bert, I'll marry you." Bert grinned widely. "Great! How do you want to celebrate?" Ruth started unbuttoning her blouse. "I'm sure we'll think of something..." For only the second time in her life, Ruth felt the joy and satisfaction of having sex with someone you love. Ruth flew back to Irving to resign from her job, and tell her parents and sister the wonderful news. She moved out of her apartment and stayed with her parents while she and her mother planned the wedding. Bert and Matthew flew out to Dallas a couple of days before the wedding, and stayed with Ruth's parents. The wedding was a simple affair, at the local Methodist church Ruth had attended since she was a child. She wore a simple white dress, while Bert and Matthew wore blue suits. Her family and his sisters were in attendance. Ruth's parents held a small reception at their home near the church. After the wedding, Bert and Ruth showed Matthew some Dallas landmarks. A couple of days later, they loaded Ruth's clothes and mementos in a small U-Haul truck and drove back to Maryland, enjoying a few sights along the way. This time, they lived happily ever after.